Beaches
Life in the Indiana Dunes is like a day at the beach. That’s because we have 15 beautiful miles of award-winning shoreline to explore and nine oh-so-swimmable beaches. Start your day with a hike up a sand dune overlooking Lake Michigan, and end it on the beach below. Fire up the grill and air-dry with a lakeside BBQ, cast a line from the nearby fishing pier and reel in dinner, and somewhere between the windswept tall grasses and your sand-scrubbed feet, you’ll be enchanted by the magic of the Indiana Dunes.
Nine beaches, 15 miles of coastline, and one Great Lake. There are so many elements that make the Indiana Dunes one of the Midwest’s top destinations, the most important being the safety of…
With nine different beaches along 15 miles of Lake Michigan's southern shoreline, it's not easy to choose! This guide will help you decide which Indiana Dunes beach is best for your visit.
Indiana Dunes Parks
The Indiana Dunes National Park and the Indiana Dunes State Park offer access to dune-lined shores and endless outdoor adventures. Here you can explore beaches, dunes, prairies, oak savannas, wetlands, rivers, bogs, and forests. In the two parks' combined 17,000+ acres, nearly 2,000 different species of plants and animals have been identified. That makes Indiana Dunes one of the most biodiverse areas in the United States!
Indiana Dunes National Park
Walk on glacial sands, pushed and pulled by time into dunes nearly 250 feet high. Paddle across a 300-mile-long lake with waves and scenery that rival the Atlantic.
Indiana Dunes State Park
Sand, shore, and the space to breathe—over 2,000 acres of it! This isn’t your run of the mill state park, it’s a place shaped by thousands of years of shifting landscapes and…
Backpacks For Naturalists
The Indiana Dunes is one of the most biodiverse parks in the U.S., and the Backpacks for Naturalists program offers free explorer backpacks for daily use.
We believe lakeside fun shouldn’t just be reserved for the two-legged kind. Here, you and your furry friend will find plenty of sites, attractions, and accommodations.
Tales from the Dunes
Read All StoriesValparaiso Popcorn Fest
- 3 minute read
Calling all popcorn lovers! Mark your calendars, and be sure to pop on over to Valparaiso for the annual Popcorn Festival held each September. Recently celebrating its 45th year, the festival…
A Train Lover's Guide to the Indiana Dunes Area
- 3 minute read
It might be a little unexpected, but train enthusiasts, aka railfans, love visiting the Indiana Dunes area. Indiana is, after all, the crossroads of America. What makes our area so great for…
Fun Things to Do in Downtown Valparaiso
- 3 minute read
Valparaiso, or Valpo as the locals call it, is known as the county seat of the Indiana Dunes Region. Located about 20-30 minutes from the Indiana Dunes National and State Parks, the vibrant…
More Things to See & Do
Outdoor Adventures
Shaped by nature, made for adventure. In the Indiana Dunes, it’s all about fun times and tan lines—from…
Dunes Deals
Shake off the sand south of the Indiana Dunes! Dig up real savings with Indiana Dunes Deals and make the most of…
Indiana Dunes Shop
Don’t just experience the Indiana Dunes; take it home with you. Find your new favorite T-shirt, hoodie, or…
Pet Friendly
There’s a reason Indiana Dunes National Park was named the #1 pet-friendly attraction in the state of Indiana…
Arts & Entertainment
It’s not all sand-fringed lakes and epic sunsets. Here, you’ll find a vibrant arts scene stoked by a…
Volunteer
Be the Change — Volunteer! Get more involved with the Indiana Dunes!
Book a Place to Stay
Bed & Breakfasts
Feel like family with intimate accommodations that range from nature-inspired retreats in the woods…
Hotels & Inns
A convenient stay located near downtown? What about a country retreat heaped in Old World charm? Or…